2020-01-01 The Writer

writermag.com • The Writer | 31

Ah, writing prompts – the forgotten fire

starter for your writing practice. Spark blank

pages into endless possibilities with these

eight creativity-boosting exercises.

BY HOPE LYDA

REKINDLE

THE FLAME

REKINDLE

THE FLAME

What did you do over summer

vacation? When this prompt

was assigned to me on the first

day of every year of middle

school, I resisted the urge to

pen fictional tales of walking

across hot coals in Hawaii

(while juggling coconuts!).

Instead, I confessed to picking

Oregon strawberries in order to

earn money for school clothes.

If this middle school classic

was the last writing prompt

you used, then 1) I hope the

sting of vacation shaming

faded as quickly as an Oregon

tan, and 2) I have great news

for you as you plan your writing

year. Daily prompts have done

some growing up. They are

kindling that ignite a hearty

writing practice...and maybe a

passion project.

Here are eight benefits of a

prompt practice, along with

examples to stir up your writing.